people /' pepal/ p/. n. 1 human beings in general or considered collectively:
the earthquake killed 30,000 people. (the people) the citizens of
a country, esp. when considered in relation to those who govern
them: the support of the people. (the people) those without special rank
or position in society; the populace: he is a man of the people. (one's
people) a person’s parents or relatives: my people live in West Virginia.
(one’s people) the supporters or employees of a person in a position
of power or authority: I’ve had my people watching the house.
2 {pi. peoples)
[treated as sing, or p/.| the men, women, and children of a
particular nation, community, or ethnic group: the native peoples of
Canada.
v. [tr.\ (usu. be peopled) (of a particular group of people) inhabit (an
area or place): an arid mountain region peopled by waning clans. fill or
be present in (a place, environment, or domain): the street is peopled
with hippies. fill (an area or place) with a particular group of inhabitants.
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